Foreign missions in Türkiye lower their flags to half-mast due to powerful earthquake

By Mustafa Deveci

ANKARA (AA) – The embassies and foreign missions of many countries in the Turkish capital Ankara on Tuesday lowered their flags to half-staff and shared messages of solidarity following Monday’s powerful earthquakes in southern Türkiye.

The gesture came after Türkiye on Monday declared seven days of national mourning in the wake of the deadly quakes.

Flags were lowered at half-staff at the headquarters of the Organization of Turkish States in Istanbul and the US Embassy in Ankara.

"In solidarity with Türkiye, we lowered our flag to show our respect to those who lost their lives and were injured in the tragic earthquakes. Condolences to Türkiye, get well soon Türkiye," the US Embassy in Ankara said on social media.

The British Embassy in Ankara also shared photos showing its flag being lowered to half-staff.

"We share your pain and mourning … Best regards," said the embassy.

The German Embassy in Ankara also shared a photo on social media showing the flag being lowered to half-staff.

"We are in mourning,” the embassy said in its message.

"Today we lowered our flags to half-staff in solidarity with Türkiye. Condolences to Türkiye, get well soon Türkiye," the French Embassy in Ankara said in a video message on social media.

The Swedish Embassy in Ankara also shared a photo on social media of the flag being lowered. "We express our sincere condolences to the people of Türkiye."

A magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck southern Türkiye's Kahramanmaras province early Monday and another magnitude 7.6 quake hit the same area in the afternoon, killing at least 3,432 people and injuring 21,103 others, according to the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD).

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz